Bluing package



E. G. GOUDEY BLUING PACKAGE Aug. 15, 1933.

Filed March 25, 1932 v //v E/VTOR:

zzinrroR/ven Patented Aug. 15, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT? QFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to methods of handling and using bluing and to the packaging of bluing.

Bluing is very widely used in the laundry industry. Most of the laundries prefer to purchase this material in a dry or powdered form. In this condition it is, however, a very disagreeable substance to handle, particularly due to the fact that the powder is in a very finely divided form so that it is picked up readily in a current or draft of air, and partly, also, because of its tendency to spread and color anything with which it comes in contact, even though it may be present in very minute quantities. At the present time it is the usual custom to purchase bluing in bulk and to introduce a certain measured quantity into the dime water preparatory to rinsing a-batch of clothes. The bluing is stirred into thewater with a paddle. It is also customary to add a small quantity of some acid salt, commonly referred to in this art as sour, for the purpose of neutralizing any alkali which may be left in the clothes. In some laundries a solution of the bluing is made in a separate vessel and isadded in this form to the rinse water. Either method, however, involves the handling of the dry bluing powder in the open air, and consequently is objectionable for the reasons above mentioned.

The present invention is especially concerned with these conditions. It aims to devise a bluing package which will facilitate the merchandising of this material and the handling of it in laundries. It is also an object of the invention to improve the methods of using bluing with a view to overcoming the present disadvantages in handling this material.

The nature of the invention will be readily understood from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing, and the novel features will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bluing package embodying features of this invention, the two parts of the package being shown in a separated condition;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an outer envelope which may form a part of the package;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the complete package in the form at present preferred; and

Fig. 4 is a vertical, sectional view through the package shown in Fig. 3.

According to the present invention a certain definite and measured quantity of powdered bluing is enclosed in a container which either is made entirely of water .soluble material, or at least includes a section made of such material. The quantity of bluing so enclosed in an individual package may vary with the requirements of different laundries. For most purposes, however, one ounce is a convenient quantity for a single package. The container preferably is made of soluble gelatine and it may conveniently consist of a main body 2, Fig. l, and a cap 3, the cap telescoping over the end of the body 2, as clearly shown in Fig. 4.

By using a container of this character the packages may be filled in automatic machinery of a type readily available, the package being closed either automatically or by hand, .as desired. Because of the nature of the material and manufacturing variations it is usually preferable to perform the closing operation manually.

Packages made in this manner may be sold directly to the laundries, and they present the bluing to the user in a far more convenient form than that afforded by prior methods of merchandising this material. When this practice is. adopted, however, it is desirable to attach a cord, preferably in the form of a flat tape 5, to the package, and this may conveniently be done by placing one'end of the tape in the container 2 Where it will be pinched between the cap 3 and the body 2 when the container is closed.

In using this package the workman drops the container into the rinse water and swings it around through the water. The container dissolves in a relatively short time, but nevertheless releases the bluing powder 4 rather gradually so that it may be distributed with the necessary degree of uniformity throughout the bath.

In the better class of laundries it is customary to filter or strain the bluing, and consequently, I prefer to enclose the container 2-3 in a fabric bag 6, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the fabric being of sufficiently close mesh to strain or filter out any particles of foreign material that may be carried by the bluing. This bag is made of such dimensions as to receive the container rather snugly, and it is provided with a draw string or.puckering string 7 which serves both to close the top of the bag and also as a support for the entire package to facilitate the distribution of the bluing in the rinse water, this draw string or cord performing the same functions as that of the cord or tape 5 above referred to. Preferably, also, the cord 7 is made in the form of a thin, fiat, inexpensive tape upon which the manufacture'rs or distributors name can conveniently be stamped. The bluing is distributed through the rinse water in the same manner as above described in connection with Fig. 1, but it is filtered or strained simultaneously with its introduction into the rinsing bath.

I have also found it entirely feasible to include in the container a proper quantity of "sour to go with the bluing so that both constituents can be introduced in the rinse water in a single mixing operation.

The invention thus provides a bluing package which entirely avoids handling of the dry bluing by the ultimate consumer at any time when the bluing will be exposed to the air, or under such conditions that there is any danger of spilling the bluing or having it scattered on clothes or the surroundings while in a dry condition. Weighing or measuring of the bluing by the con sumer also is avoided. At the same timethis Having thus described my invention, what I desire to claim as new is:

1. A package of the character described comprising telescoping sections of sheet. material, one of said sections being readily soluble in water, said container being adapted to enclose a. quantity oi. powdered bluing, and a cord pinched and thereby held in position, between the sections of said container.

2. A package of the character described comprising a container having a water soluble section, said container being adapted to enclose a quantity of powdered bluing, and a straining enclosure engaging and holding said container therein.

3. A package of the character described comprising a container having a water soluble section, said container being'adapted to enclose a quantity of powdered bluing, a strainer bag in which said container is enclosed, and a draw string for holding said bag closed.

ENOS GORDON GOUDEY. 

